--OT Andre Smith was a unanimous first-team All-SEC selection in 2007 and co-recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the SEC's best blocker. As a junior, he and senior center-guard Antoine Caldwell are the anchors of what appears to be an improving line.

--FS Rashad Johnson recorded six interceptions and eight pass deflections last year and earned unanimous first-team All-SEC honors last season, but his value as a leader on a young team can't be measured.

SPRING MOVERS

OT Drew Davis -- Davis entered the spring as an anonymous junior and left it as the likely solution at right tackle, a position that has been a sore spot for Alabama in recent years.

NT Josh Chapman and DE Alfred McCullough -- These two redshirt freshmen emerged as two of Alabama's best spring surprises and put themselves in position to compete for playing time in the fall.

LB Cory Reamer -- Reamer has been a safety and an outside linebacker but appeared to find a home at inside linebacker late in the spring.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We've got some young guys coming in with ability. My role will be to establish a time when I can tell them what to do because I already understand the defense. I've already talked to a lot of the recruits. ... I think they are humble and understand what their role will be, but they are ready to go. We're going to do something good. The way the season ended last year, well, now a lot of guys saw what Coach (Nick) Saban had been telling us about finishing strong." -- Alabama senior free safety Rashad Johnson, on preparing an incoming recruiting class ranked among the nation's top classes.

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